Is West Texas A&M QB Vaughan Division II's top football player?

West Texas A&M quarterback Dustin Vaughan took a huge step Thursday night in a bid to capture the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II's version of the Heisman Trophy.

Vaughan could be the first WT football player to win the award. After an All-American season last year, he boosted his value with a prime-time performance Thursday.

Vaughan led WT's comeback from deficits of 24-6 and 31-16 as the fourth-ranked Buffs beat 18th-ranked Chadron (Neb.) State 34-31 on Sergio Garcia's last-minute field goal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

The nationally televised game showed fans coast to coast what Vaughan and the Buffs are capable of doing.

WT reached the NCAA Division II semifinals last season, winning three playoff games on the road before falling at Winston-Salem State. Vaughan threw for 4,712 yards and 45 touchdowns with 13 interceptions last season as WT went 12-3.

Vaughan is off to a hot start this season, completing 67-of-99 passes for 825 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions.

Players can't win an award as prestigious as the Harlon Hill Trophy without help. And Vaughan has it with an offensive line that can block and receivers who know how to catch.

Winning and excelling in the national spotlight will boost Vaughan's and WT's national recognition.